Answer: the minimum spacing that must be there between two objects on the earth's surface if they are to be resolved as distinct objects by this telescope 6.45 cm
Explanation:
Given that;
diameter of the mirror d = 1.7 m
height h = 180 km = 180 × 10³ m
wavelength λ = 500 nm = 5 × 10⁻⁹ m
Now Angular separation from the peak of the central maximum is expressed as;
sin∅= 1.22 λ / d
sin∅ = (1.22 × 5 × 10⁻⁹) / 1.7
sin∅ = 3.588 × 10⁻⁷
we know that;
sin∅ = object separation / distance from telescope
object separation =
sin∅ × distance from telescope
object separation = 3.588 × 10⁻⁷ × 180 × 10³
object separation =6.45 × 10⁻² m
then we convert to centimeter
object separation = 6.45 cm
Therefore the minimum spacing that must be there between two objects on the earth's surface if they are to be resolved as distinct objects by this telescope 6.45 cm
